Crystal Light With Piezoelectricity | the Precious Light

Hello!

The Precious Light is actually an artwork created during my class of art and science last year. In fact, the piezoelectricity in rochelle salt crystal is not used, so any kind of crystals should be okay to replace the crystals using in my version. I still chose rochelle salt crystal for my project because of its color and transparency.

I want to write my first Instructable, so I share its making process.

Step 1: Refer to Existing Tutorials

After having an idea of using the piezoelectricity, learning from the existing projects or tutorials would be very useful. I simply refer to a few links as follows:

Make: How to Make Piezo Crystal
http://makezine.com/2008/07/31/how-to-make-piezo-c...
How to Grow Great Crystals by andreyeurope
http://makezine.com/2008/07/31/how-to-make-piezo-c...
Collin's Lab: Homebrew Piezo

Materials for Crystal Solution shown in the video:
Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash)
Potassium Bitartrate (Cream of Tartar)

Step 2: Prepare Materials

Growing Crystals

Potassium Sodium Tartrate (Rochelle Salt)
- As I was able to get potassium sodium tartrate from the class, I didn't use soda ash and cream of tartar to make the potassium sodium tartrate
Beaker x 1
(**not used anymore) Pot x 1
Wrapping Wire (black) x 1
Fishing Wire x 1
LEDs x 6 pcs
- preferably white LEDs
Bottom Part of Plastic Bottles x 6
- grow the crystal
Distilled Water
- tutorials usually suggest to use distilled water in order to ensure the purity, but I didn't use it
Hot Glue Gun & Hot Glue
Needle & Thread
-for hanging the LEDs

Piezoelectricity

Piezo Discs x 6 pcs
Soldering Iron

Making the Stand （any materials)

Wood Board x 1
Bamboo Sticks x 4

Step 3: Get the Seed Crystal

After making the crystal solution according to the reference tutorials, I poured the solution in one plastic bottle.

My Small Tips

cover the cup
don't be too shaky when you are holding it
put in the fridge
let it grow overnight

Step 4: [Optional] Take a Look at the Crystals

After the crystals finished growing, I put those on a little microscope to take make a record.

Step 5: Test All LEDs

Before getting the LEDs to be ready for growing the crystals, I put hot glue on the LED to hang the string on (and also split the negative and positive) for the crystal growing.

Step 6: Grow Crystal on LED

Refer to the "LED Crystal Procedure" instruction

Check the LEDs again
Tie the seed crystal with a long thread
Follow the photo instruction:
1. Put hot glue on the LED
2. Take the needle with the thread and a fish wire
3. Get it through the hot glue
Tie the fish wire with the crystal on a stick
Put in the crystal solution
Cover the beaker with a lid or cover
Put in the fridge